Mike, I fish the three rivers in Pittsburgh every weekend in club level tournaments. Thinking back to when you fished the tournament here.. What did you use the most to catch fish and what kind of advise can you give a river rat like myself? Thanks!

My top baits were small cranks, spinnerbaits, and of course soft plastics. I'm always very aware of what the fish are feeding on. In river situations current is also always a big factor. I'm almost always looking for areas that have some form of current break!

Ike, always heard lots about the sun warming up the northwest corner of a lake faster, especially this time of year. Any truth to that you have experienced? If so would you try thise arears first if first getting out on a lake to pre fish?

YES lots of truth to that theory! I'm always try to stay very aware of water temps in the early spring and pre spawn period. Seems like the protected pockets, coves, flats and creeks in the upper end or northwest corners or pockets always heat up first!

Mike what was different about this years classic was it just from all the cold weather that had been there in the previous weeks? I was figuring on people smashing them on a jerkbait but just didn't seem to happen.

Ike, thanks for being such a good roll model! You are doing so much for this sport! I really enjoy your Ike Live Show I have Learned so much. My buddy and I just got our Mike Iaconelli hats in today! I am also a member of the Ball State Fishing Team! NEVER GIVE UP!!!!!

Ahhh. We have them around here too! Seems like my best baits in that super clear water are always either small more natural color finesse plastics (drop shot and whacky jig head) or burning some kind of reaction bait (topwater/spinnerbait).

My husband has to fish this weekend. They will be in non-tidal, free flowing river. Conditions are COLD, muddy water. We're located in eastern NC. How would you approach those conditions this time of year

Ike whats best way to figure out a new body of water to catch the bigger fish. I study online the maps and prefish from day light tell dark. I find fish but not like the pros like your self do. You all always get big bags everywhere you all go.

The biggest bass in a lake seem like they always live deeper (in deeper water) or thicker (in the thickest cover) in a lake. When you find an area of fish, try moving out a bit or fish deeper in to the cover. Also, the big bait big bass theory is TRUE!

Hey Mike, Love the show. Looking forward to the next one. I am an assistant coach for a high-school bass team. We have several events between now and the end of May. We will be fishing the State Championship in May. What advice could you give a group of young aspiring fisherman for the Ky lake tournament. Thanks and good luck to you,